UNAIR NEWS – Twelve delegates from the
Faculty of Pharmacy (FF), Universitas
Airlangga (UNAIR), earned three awards at
the 71st IPSF World Congress 2026 in
Bangkok, Thailand, held from August 1–9,
2026. The achievements included 1st
Runner-Up in the Clinical Skills Event –
Advanced Level, 1st Runner-Up in the
Compounding Event, and the Best CP Co-
Lab Public Health Project Award.
The event was organized by the International
Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF),
with Chulalongkorn University serving as the
host. The UNAIR delegation consisted of
Alprida Patmana Laludin Rumi, Ardelia Citra
Putri Lestari, Hariette Damery Lumban
Toruan, Hitaro Victory Lumban Toruan,
Mahayodia Zolla Al Hasbi, Surya Andri
Simanjuntak, Timotius Jayandana, Nailal
Husna, Nurafiah Nashwa Andini, R. A. Kayika
Dewipraja, Rasya Azka Shafira, and Rikha
Manda Novarina.
International pharmacy competitions
Toruan explained that the UNAIR delegation’s participation was part of the involvement of the Faculty of Pharmacy Student Executive Board (BEM FF UNAIR) in IPSF. The event featured a series of activities, including competitions, symposiums, cultural workshops, as well as industry and hospital visits.
“There were many activities to take part in during the World Congress. In addition to the competitions, we attended workshops, visited pharmaceutical industries and hospitals, and exchanged experiences with pharmacy students from different countries,” she explained.
She also explained that in the Compounding Event, participants were challenged to formulate a suspension dosage form for an anthelmintic drug within 90 minutes. Meanwhile, the Clinical Skills Event tested participants’ ability to solve clinical cases involving treatment regimens, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy.
Learning pharmacy and cross-cultural
perspectives
In addition to the competitions, the delegation
visited the Government Pharmaceutical
Organization (GPO) to learn about the
production of generic medicines, from granulation and tablet compression to
capsule manufacturing and quality control
testing.
Toruan said the experience broadened her
understanding of pharmacy while
strengthening her ability to adapt to different
cultures. “Through one of the World
Congress activities, the International Night,
we had the opportunity to learn about
cultures from different countries. So, we not
only learned about pharmacy, but also how to
communicate and adapt to different cultures,”
she said.
She encouraged students not to hesitate to
pursue international experiences. “Just give it
a try and start with small activities, such as
webinars or virtual student exchange
programs. When we enjoy participating in a
program, more new opportunities will open
up,” she concluded.
Author : Maulya Afifah Zahra
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
